Matan Arad is an Israeli diplomat and advocate specializing in public diplomacy and hasbara (Israel's public relations efforts). He served as the Consul General of Israel to the Southwestern United States from 2018 to 2022, based at the Consulate General in Los Angeles. Appointed during Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure, he focused on strengthening U.S.-Israel relations by engaging with local communities, media outlets, political leaders, and cultural influencers across California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. His efforts included countering anti-Israel narratives, combating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, promoting Israel's security interests, fostering economic and technological ties, and building connections with conservative networks and figures like Dennis Prager. Arad was particularly noted for his outreach to Hollywood and tech sectors, organizing events to highlight Israel's innovations and address misconceptions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Following his consular tenure, Arad transitioned to a role as a Consultant on Foreign Policy and Israel Advocacy at PragerU, a conservative media organization. In this position, he collaborates with PragerU leadership, including CEO Marissa Streit, providing expertise on Israel-related content and advocacy through educational videos, public speaking, and initiatives aimed at influencing American audiences on Middle East policy and countering progressive criticisms of Israel. His career reflects a commitment to advancing Israel's interests abroad, drawing on his background in military service, diplomacy, and prior roles within Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strategic communications and advocacy. He has been involved in various advocacy initiatives, including responses to campus antisemitism and support for bipartisan U.S. support for Israel, and is known for his articulate defense of Israeli policies in public forums, contributing to networks of influence that bridge diplomatic and non-governmental spheres.